Trains and Where to Stay: Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland
Words cannot express the beauty of the Swiss Alps. So why am I even writing a blog post about it if words won’t do it justice? Well, I’m not a quitter and I am going to make a feeble attempt to explain what awaits you in the Lauterbrunnen Valley region of Switzerland.
There is much to cover about this region but today I am going to offer you advice on train tickets as they can be tricky and recommend a great place to stay.
The foremost thing you need to understand is the train situation in this particular area of Switzerland. There are many types of tickets and it is very confusing. I spent days researching it and found just the right combination of tickets but if you are traveling all over Switzerland, you’ll need to read up on what type of ticket works for you. I also really, really recommend this YouTube channel. They explain in detail the different types of rail passes that may work for you.
Prepare yourself for the hit to the wallet. Trains are quite expensive in Switzerland though they are clean and on time!
If you are a solo traveler or traveling in a small group and are mainly visiting the Lauterbrunnen Valley, you should purchase the following:
Berner-Oberland Pass- This pass is specific to this region and you can ride all trains and cable cars (with very few exceptions, one being Top of Europe and Schilthorn though you do receive discounts on those tickets with this pass). You choose the amount of days you’ll be using the pass and you are good to go! View their website for the map which details where the trains and gondolas cover. It is by far the most affordable option if you are staying rather local.
If you have purchased the Berner-Oberland pass, you will still need a separate train ticket to get from your city of entry to the Lauterbrunnen region. I caught a train from Zurich to Lauterbrunnen. If you purchase these tickets in advance they are much less expensive but the advance tickets can only be used for the specific day/time/train on the ticket so you do have to plan carefully. Note: if taking the train from Zurixh, you want your tickets to be from the Zurich airport train terminal. It is called Bahnhof Zürich Flughafen. There are other train terminals in the city so you will want to make sure you purchase your ticket for this station if leaving from the Zurich airport.
Research the Swiss Pass. For those who are traveling throughout Switzerland, this may be a good choice but if you are only visiting the Jungfrau region, it will be a waste of money and might not get you to all the places you’d like to see.
Visit the SBB website to find out more about tickets, timetables, and pricing.
Where to stay in the Berner Oberland:
I highly recommend staying in the village of Wengen at the Hotel Alpenrose. Wengen is situated above Lauterbrunnen and has incredible views of the valley. It is smaller than Lauterbrunnen and has the village charm you’d expect in this region of the Swiss Alps. A bit quieter and nestled on the hillside, you can meander the peaceful streets and find everything you need within the village.
Wengen has several restaurants, a COOP grocery store (they have coffee to-go!), shops and is a hub for the train and gondolas that will take you to Murren, Lauterbrunnen, Birg, the Schilthorn, Grindelwald, Gimmelwald, etc. It is the perfect central location for easy access to all that awaits you.
The Hotel Alpenrose
The epitome of old-world hospitality, this hotel has been run by the same family for over 140 years and their traditions are deeply embedded in their offerings. From humble beginnings to now hosting travelers from all over the world, the Alpenrose is one of the most welcoming places I’ve ever had the pleasure of staying. They take their guest’s comfort very seriously and Ursela, the daughter of the proprietor, has continued with the family tradition. After going to hotel school, she now runs the show (brilliantly!). If you are familiar with European old-world hospitality (the quiet, calm, detail-oriented characteristics embedded in this form of service), then you will immediately recognize the Aplenrose as a place that gracefully offers only the best.
I chose the option to have breakfast and dinner included in my stay and the food was AMAZING! Upscale courses and wonderful service. Food is quite expensive in Switzerland and it was wonderful to have breakfast and dinner covered. Sometimes, after a long day of exploring, it is nice to not have to think about where to eat! The 3-4 course dinners were always delicious (the beet-root sorbet was out of this world!) and breakfast is a combination of made-to-order items such as eggs and a buffet of yogurts, cheeses, breads, etc. The blueberry-lemon cake is not to be missed!
Their rooms are incredibly cozy, Wood surrounds you in the style of an alpine chalet, with thick plaid curtains, and wonderful goose-down bedding. Views from your balcony are of course, exceptional and the location of the Alpenrose is perfect. It is tucked into the village, a short walk to the shops and restaurants yet just far enough away that you can relax in the peaceful environ.
They truly make you feel as though you are a part of the family and I was delighted to receive a Christmas card from the hotel this year. They also have a separate chalet, apart from the hotel (but on the same grounds) for those who need more space or a greater sense of solitude. While there are many options for accommodations in Wengen, the Hotel Alpenrose gets my vote and if I ever return, I will be staying with them again.
You can book with them directly or check for deals here at Booking.com
Ciao for now!
-Lindsey
*please note: I have a few affiliate links in this article. When you click on the link and book or purchase through the affiliate company, I get a tiny little commission. Teeny tiny … like Tea-Cup Chihuahua tiny but I sure do appreciate your support! There is no extra cost for you! Affiliate links help to keep this blog up and running! I ONLY include links to products or services that I believe in.
